Releasable mooring rope

ABSTRACT

A releasable mooring rope having one end formed as a noose by a throat block at the noose wherethrough the bight of the noose slidably extends and wherein the end of the rope at the noose is fitted, in a socket. The end of the rope carries a ferrule having a circumferential groove adapted to be engaged by a locking cam within the throat block in normal use, but to be released by rotation of the cam to permit the end of the rope to separate from the throat block and break the noose. A lever connected to the cam outstands from the throat block and is adapted to be engaged by the rope, by throwing a loop in the rope which will fall about the lever. Once engaged, a pull of the rope will rotate the lever to shift the cam to its releasing position.

United States Patent 332,619 12/1885 Noles 3,467,046 9/1969 Welton 24/230AV Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam Attorney-Van Valkenburgh & Lowe ABSTRACT: A releasable mooring rope having one end formed as a noose by a throat block at the noose wherethrough the bight of the noose slidably extends and wherein the end of the rope at the noose is fitted, in a socket. The end of the rope carries a ferrule having a circumferential groove adapted to be engaged by a locking cam within the throat block in normal use, but to be released by rotation of the cam to permit the end of the rope to separate from the throat block and break the noose. A lever connected to the cam outstands from the throat block and is adapted to be engaged by the rope, by throwing a loop in the rope which will fall about the lever Once engaged, a pull of the rope will rotate the lever to shift the cam to its releasing position.

PAT ENTED AUG! 19?!- sum 1 or 2 INVENTOR.

Charles L Walton F '9' 2 WM wink/4,4

ATTORNEYS PATENTEnAusmsn 3,599,592

sum 2 BF 2 F lg I2 INVENTOR.

Charles L. Welton ATTORNEYS RELEASABLE MOORING ROPE The present invention relates to holding lines such as ropes and cables, and more particularly to releasable ropes or cables where the end of the rope is noosed about a post or anchor and this noose breaks apart at its throat to release the rope. As such, the invention will be called a releasable mooring rope.

One or more mooring ropes are needed to secure a boat to a wharf or landing and are essential equipment for a boat. The present invention is especially concerned with mooring ropes for small boats. Whenever a small boat is piloted by a single operator, he not only steers the boat and operates the engines, but also he has to release the several mooring ropes holding the boat to the dock. Often this is an inconvenient and sometimes hazardous chore, especially when it becomes necessary to climb up from the boat and onto a pier and then jump back into the boat after, the mooring ropesare disconnected from the pier post. It is desirable, from the operators viewpoint, to be able to release the ropes without leaving the central section of the boat. Thus, a primary object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved releasable mooring rope which may be disconnected from its mooring post by an individual holding the opposite end of the rope some distance away.

The present invention is an improvement over other releasable ropes. There is disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,165,091, issued Jan. 12, 1965, a releasable honda which is" especially adapted for use as a practice lasso. Once the honda has been'cast about a post, or an animal, the noose will break apart to release the honda from the post or animal by simply pulling the rope. This unit is not suitable for holding or restraining against a substantial pull or load.

As a further development, there is disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,467,046, issued Sept. 15, 1969, a releasable mooring cable having a look at the throat of the noose and a release line which may be pulled to open the lock. Thus, a boatman can release the mooring cable from a pier without having to leave his boat. This unit has become quite popular, but it has the disadvantage of requiring the extra release line. This release line sometimes becomes tangled with the cable as it will not release and sometimes becomes otherwise fouled or accidentally pulled so that the cable is prematurely released from a pier post.

The present invention, a releasable mooring rope, was conceived and developed because of the need to eliminate the disadvantages inherent in the constructions mentioned above. The invention comprises, in essence, a rope having a noose at one end formed by ablock at the throat of the noose which will release the rope end forming the noose by the simple expedient of engaging a lever on the block as by throwing a travelling loop in the rope. It follows that the use of this improved releasable mooring rope will depend upon the skill of an operator in throwing a loop in the rope. However, it was N is formed by the improved throat block B with one portion found that the skill required for throwing this loop was minimal, and anyone capable of operating a boat could easily become proficient in using the releasable mooring rope.

Thus, another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved releasable mooring rope which is adapted to be secured to a pier post or the like and which may be released therefrom by an individual holding the opposite end of the rope by the simple expedient of throwing a travelling loop in the rope and then pulling'the rope.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved releasable mooring rope which may also be secured to a pier post in such -a manner as to effect a positive locking action to prevent any accidental release of the line from the mooring post.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved releasable mooring rope having a throat block through which the bight of the noose slidably extends and which will normally hold the rope portion therein to prevent choking action by the noose, but which may be loosened to pennit the rope to freely slide therethrough.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a novel and improved releasable mooring rope which is a simple, neat appearing, economical, rugged and durable unit.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my present invention comprises certain constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts and elements as hereinafter described, defined in the appended claims, and illustrated in preferred embodiment by the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. l'is a perspective view showing a fragment of a pier and a post thereon, with the improved mooring rope secured to the post and extending therefrom, with an individuals hand holding the opposite end of the rope and throwing a loop in the rope to release it from the post, and with dotted lines indicating the manner in which this loop will fall upon the release lever of the throat block forming the noose of the rope.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged face view of the throat portion of the rope noose shown at FIG. 1, with the release lever of the throat block being positioned for receiving a loop which may be thrown in the manner illustrated at FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a face view similar to FIG. 2, on a slightly reduced scale and depicting the throat portion of the rope noose after a loop has been thrown over the release lever and the rope has been pulled to release the end of the rope from the throat block to break the noose apart and thus release the rope from a pier post or the like.

FIG. 4 is another face view, similar to FIG. 2 on a further reduced scale, and depicting one manner in which the release lever is wrapped about a portion of the nooseto prevent any accidental'movement of the lever which could release the end of the rope from the throat block and break the noose.

FIG. 5 is an edge view as taken from the indicated arrow 5 at FIG. 2, showing the throat block and portions of the rope at this block.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view as taken from the indicated line 6-6 at FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a sectional detail as taken from the indicated line 7-7 at FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 6, but looking from the opposite side of the block as from the indicated arrows 8-8 at FIG. 5, and showing the locking member within the block at its releasing position.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 8, but showing the locking member at another position to facilitate sliding the rope through the block to change the size of the noose.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the holding ferrule at the end of the rope.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing a modified construction of the throat block.

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing another modified construction of the throat block.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, FIG. 1 illustrates a rope R having one end connected to the post P at the edge of a pier by a noose N at the end of the rope. The noose holding the end of the rope and with another portion forming a passageway through which the bight of the rope slidably extends so that it may be fitted securely or loosely about the pier post as desired. The opposite end of the rope will ordinarily be used to hold a boat, but it is illustrated as being held in the hand of an individual in the manner in which it will be held when it is to be released from the pier post P.

This noose N is adapted to be broken to release the rope from the pier by throwing a running loop in the rope as illustrated. The loop will fall over a release lever L carried on the throat block B. The rope is then pulled to straighten it and the release lever is rotated by this pull of the rope from an initial holding position, illustrated at FIG. 2, to a releasing position as illustrated at FIG. 3. When the lever is at its releasing position, FIG. 3, the end of the rope forming the noose loop will be disengaged from the throat block B, all as hereinafter further described.

The throat block is formed of a rigid material such as brass or stainless steel, or of any other selected material of sufficient strength which will not tarnish or rust when exposed to water and especially to salt water. The block is shaped as a thickset, triangular member with the base edge 21 facing the noose end, from whence the rope portions of the noose divergently extend. The main reach of the rope itself extends from the opposite apex end 22 of the throat block. The body of the block, generally triangular, includes a flat front face 23, an opposite rear face 24 parallel with the front face, and rounded, inclined sides 25 between these faces. Other portions of the block are also rounded to eliminate sharp comers and edges.

A passageway 26 commences at one side of the base 21 and extends through the apex 22 at a slope which parallels the adjacent inclined side 25. The bight reach of the rope R is threaded through this passageway. A socket 27 commences at the opposite side of the base 21 and extends into the block at a slope substantially parallel with its adjacent side 25 and connects with the passageway 26 near the apex end of the block. Accordingly, the converging passageway 26 and socket 27 are separated by a central, triangular web 28 with the apex of this web being within the block. The apex is truncated, however, by a transverse, circular drill hole 29' extending through the front and rear faces to hold a cam rod hereinafter described. To complete the block, a depression 30 is formed in the front face between the passageway 29 and the base 21 for holding the release lever L as hereinafter described.

The cam rod 31 is a cylindrical member rotatably and snugly fitted into the drill hole 29. This rod includes an enlarged head 32 which outstands from the front face 23 'to hold the lever L. A short portion of this rod projects from the rear face 24 which is upset to form an enlarged nub 33 to hold the cam rod in position in the hole 29. So positioned, at the juncture of the passageway 26 and socket 27, the cam rod 31 projects into both the passageway and socket, and whenever it is at either a locking position or a rope-releasing position, a portion of this rod will project into the passageway 26 to bear against the rope bight extending through the passageway, as illustrated at FIGS. 6 and 8. This effectively snubs the rope against slipping, either to tighten or loosen the noose. When in locking position, another portion of this rod will project into the socket 27 to hold the-end of the rope therein as will be hereinafter described. To release the rope bight or the end of the rope, a portion of the cam rod is cut away as a moonshaped cutout 34, best illustrated at FIG. 7. This cutout conforms with the walls of the passageway 26 and socket 27 whenever the cam rod 31 is rotated to proper positions. It follows that this cam'rod 31 may be rotated to a first position to place the cutout 32 in, alignment with the socket 27, as illustrated at FIG. 8, to release the end of the rope R when it is in the socket, as will be described. The cam rod 31 may also be rotated to a second position to place the cutout in alignment with the passageway 26, as illustrated at FIG. 9, to release the bight of the rope so that it may freely slide through the block to permit the size of the noose to be adjusted.

The lever L is formed as a heavy rod sufficiently rigid to withstand the pull of a rope looped about it. It is formed by providing bends and curves so that it may outstand from the 1 block to better receive a loop of the rope, and to better rotate the cam to a releasing position when the rope looped over it is pulled. This lever includes a short anchor portion 35 secured to the head 32 of the cam as by being fitted into a drill hole traversing the head and soldered into place. At end of this anchor portion projects beyond the head a short distance to carry a set-wheel 36 which fits into the depression 30 when the lever is at a normal loop-receiving position, as illustrated at FIGS. 2 and 6, and hereinafter further described. The lever rod extending from the other side of the head 32 is turned to form a short, lateral offset 37 with respect to the normal locking position as illustrated at FIG. 2. Thence, the lever angles outwardly from this offset to form a sloping reach 38. Thence, the outward end is curved through a short are 39 and the lever terminates as a nub 40. The form of the lever, with the offset 37 and sloping reach 38, is a preferred construction but this lever may be of a bendable material so that its alignment can be varied somewhat by an individual using the rope to suit his own desires.

The cam cutout 34 is approximately 15 degrees out of alignment with the offset 37 of the lever, as illustrated, and this cutout is positioned, by trail if necessary, to function in the various positions now described. Not only can this lever be used to receive a loop of the roe when at the normal position, as illustrated at FIGS. 2 and 6, and then rotate to a second position to break the noose when the rope is pulled, FIGS. 3 and 8, but also, it may be rotated to a third position to free the bight of the rope to adjust the size of the noose asshown at FIG. 9. The lever may also be rotated to a fourth position so that it may be wrapped about a portion of the noose loop to lock it in place. In this latter position, the lever cannot be released accidentally, and thus it provides a safety feature.

The end of the rope is rigidified by a ferrule 41, a cylindrical cup-shaped member having a base section 42 adapted to be fitted into the socket 27 and a knurled head section 43 for gripping. The ferrule cavity is adapted to receive an end of the rope and an axial passageway 44 through the base receives a holding screw 45 which turns into the rope to lock it in place. The use of glues and/or heat, especially with synthetic ropes such as nylon, makes for a very tight, secure connection of this ferrule to the rope.

The end of the base is solid except for the passageway 44 and an annular, circumferential groove 46 is turned in this end to receive the cam rod 31 when the ferrule is inserted into the socket to be locked by the rod, as in the manner illustrated at FIG. 6. It is apparent that this ferrule at the end of the rope will be locked in the socket at all positions of the cam, except when the cam cutout 34 is aligned with the socket as in the manner shown at FIG. 8, when the lever is pulled, as by the rope, as illustrated at FIG. 3.

The use and operation of this releasable mooring rope is substantially as described. A noose N is formed about a post P or the like by wrapping the rope about the post and inserting the end ferrule 41 in the socket 27. The size of the noose may be adjusted by rotating the lever L towards the noose as at FIG. 9. Next, the noose may be locked in position against accidental release by wrapping the lever about the rope forming the noose end. Finally, the lever may be set to its normal position to release the rope as in the manner illustrated at FIG. 2 by an individual at the opposite end of the rope throwing a running loop in the rope R, as illustrated at FIG. 1. This may be an overhand or an underhand loop for it was found that one type of loop would work as well as another. When the loop forms upon the lever and is pulled, rotation of the lever releases the end ferrule from the socket.

Various other arrangements of this construction are possible. At FIG. 1 1, a triangular block B is used which is substantially the same as heretofore described. l-Iowever,the position of the socket 27 and passageway 26' are reversed with no significant change in function. Also, the lateral offset portion 37' of the lever L is soldered directly to the cam rod 31 and two small metal projections 47 are used to provide a friction lock to hold the offset at its lateral normal position in lieu of the wheel 36 and depression 30, hereinbefore described.

The modified unit at FIG. 12 illustrates a rectangular throat block B" wherein the two passageways 26" and 27" are parallel instead of converging and wherein the cam 31" does not project into the passageway 26" of the rope. The cam 31" pivotally holds a U-shaped clip 50 and the lever L" projects outwardly from this clip. An indentation 51 in the clip 50 fits in a socket 30" to hold the clip in the normal locking position. The function of this unit is the same as that heretofore described in that a rope loop can be thrown upon the lever and the rope then pulled to release the ferrule 41" the same as heretofore described. The unit is limited in some respects; however it will not lock the rope bight and the lever cannot be easily moved to a position where it can be wrapped about a loop to lock the same.

I have now described my invention in detail. It is, nevertheless, apparent that others skilled in the art can, from the tion:

a. a ferrule at the noose end of the rope having a groove means;

b. a throat block having a passageway wherethrough the bight of the rope extends and having a socket adapted to receive the ferrule to form the noose loop;

c. a cam means within the block adapted to normally engage the ferrule groove means to lock the ferrule within the socket to secure the noose loop for mooring, but to be shifted to a release position clear of the groove means to permit the ferrule to move out of the socket to break the noose loop;

d. a head outstanding from the throat block, connecting with the cam means and being rotatable to move the cam means from its locked position and to its release position; and

e. a lever arm connected to the head and extending therefrom generally laterally of the alignment of the rope when the head is positioned to lock the cam means and to secure the noose loop about a mooring post, said arm being shiftable therefrom to a second position generally in the direction of the alignment of the rope away from the noose loop to rotate the head to release the cam means; and wherein the length of said lever arm is substantially greater than the rope diameter to extend laterally a substantial distance from the throat block and head thereon, to receive a rope loop, whereby a pull of the rope at the holding point end will shift the lever arm from the first position to the second position and thereby open the noose loop and free the rope from the post.

2. In the apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein:

said cam rod extends to an outer face of the block.

3. In the apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said cam means comprises:

a cylindrical rod extending transversely through the block with a portion thereof normally projecting into the socket, and

a cutout at one side of the rod adapted to be rotated into the socket to clear the socket when the cam is at the aforesaid release position.

4. In the apparatus defined in claim 1, including a release gripper means at the face of the block adjacent to the head, adapted to hold the lever arm at the aforesaid first position, but to release the lever arm responsive to a pull, as from a tug by the rope.

5. In the apparatus defined in claim 4, wherein said gripper means includes a depression in the face of the block whereinto a portion of the lever arm is adapted to drop when at the aforesaid first position.

6. In the apparatus defined in claim 4, wherein said gripper means includes abutmentlike projections at the face of the block adapted to engage portions of the lever.

7. In the apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the lever arm includes:

an offset portion adjacentto the throat block which is substantially perpendicular to the alignment of the rope when the lever arm is at the first aforesaid position; and

an inclined portion extending therefrom which is directed generally outwardly from and toward the noose loop when the lever arm is at the aforesaid first position.

8. In the apparatus defined in claim 7, wherein the lever arm includes a nub at its end adapted to facilitate engaging a rope looped onto the lever arm.

9. In the apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein:

the passageway and socket converge together within the throat block; a portion of the aforesaid cam means extends into the passageway adapted to frictionally engage the rope extending therethrough and sad lever arm is adapted to be shifted to a third position where said cam means is adapted to clear the passageway to permit the rope to be easily slid through the passageway. 

1. In a rope having a releasable noose loop at one end and adapted to be secured to a mooring post and with the other end extended to a holding point, and comprising, in combination: a. a ferrule at the noose end of the rope having a groove means; b. a throat block having a passageway wherethrough the bight of the rope extends and having a socket adapted to receive the ferrule to form the noose loop; c. a cam means within the block adapted to normally engage the ferrule groove means to lock the ferrule within the socket to secure the noose loop for mooring, but to be shifted to a release position clear of the groove means to permit the ferrule to move out of the socket to break the noose loop; d. a head outstanding from the throat block, connecting with the cam means and being rotatable to move the cam means from its locked position and to its release position; and e. a lever arm connected to the head and extending therefrom generally laterally of the alignment of the rope when the head is positioned to lock the cam means and to secure the noose loop about a mooring post, said arm being shiftable therefrom to a second position generally in the direction of the alignment of the rope away from the noose loop to rotate the head to release the cam means; and wherein the length of said lever arm is substantially greater than the rope diameter to extend laterally a substantial distance from the throat block and head thereon, to receive a rope loop, whereby a pull of the rope at the holding point end will shift the lever arm from the first position to the second position and thereby open the noose loop and free the rope from the post.
 2. In the apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein: said cam rod extends to an outer face of the block.
 3. In the apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said cam means comprises: a cylindrical rod extending transversely through the block with a portion thereof normally projecting into the socket, and a cutout at one side of the rod adapted to be rotated into the socket to clear the socket when the cam is at the aforesaid release position.
 4. In the apparatus defined in claim 1, including a release gripper means at the face of the block adjacent to the head, adapted to hold the lever arm at the aforesaid first position, but to release the lever arm responsive to a pull, as from a tug by the rope.
 5. In the apparatus defined in claim 4, wherein said gripper means includes a depression in the face of the block whereinto a portion of the lever arm is adapted to drop when at the aforesaid first position.
 6. In the apparatus defined in claim 4, wherein said gripper means includes abutmentlike projections at the face of the block adapted to engage portions of the lever.
 7. In the apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the lever arm includes: an offset portion adjacent to the throat block which is substantially perpendicular to the alignment of the rope when the lever arm is at the first aforesaid position; and an inclined portion extending therefrom which is directed generally outwardly from and toward the noose loop when the lever arm is at the aforesaid first position.
 8. In the apparatus defined in claim 7, wherein the lever arm includes a nub at its end adapted to facilitate engaging a rope looped onto the lever arm.
 9. In the apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein: the passageway and socket converge together within the throat block; a portion of the aforesaid cam means extends into the passageway adapted to frictionally engage the rope extending therethrough and sad lever arm is adapted to be shifted to a third position where said cam means is adapted to clear the passageway to permit the rope to be easily slid through the passageway. 